T-shirt controversy at Lakeview Middle School gets national attention

BATTLE CREEK, MI -- A controversy over T-shirts memorializing a Lakeview Middle School student who died Saturday is getting nationwide media attention, including reports by Yahoo News, msn.com, the New York Daily News and the Associated Press.

By Monday night, school officials backed down and put a statement on Facebook saying the initial decision was"based on our crisis management plan and past practice to not allow students to wear clothing that displayed the name or photos of the deceased."

The statement added:

"During this time of grief, we sincerely regret that our actions caused additional stress for Caitlyn’s family and friends. Lakeview students, families and staff have supported Caitlyn and her family throughout her battle. Today we heard from students and families the need to allow students to continue showing their support of Caitlyn under these special circumstances by wearing shirts bearing her name.

"The Jacksons spent time with district staff this afternoon and, as a result of our conversations, the district has committed to reviewing the crisis management plan that guides us in these situations and students will be allowed to wear clothing bearing Caitlyn’s name."

School officials told the Enquirer that the rule on not memorializing deceased students is based on research that such memorials can remind students of their grief and make it worse.